Ikigai for Career Planning — Find Work You Love

What is Ikigai?

Ikigai is the Japanese concept of finding your purpose — the intersection of four elements: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

Mapping Your Ikigai

What You Love: List activities that make you lose track of time. When are you in flow state? What topics do you voluntarily read about?

What You're Good At: List your skills, talents, and strengths. What do colleagues come to you for? What comes naturally?

What the World Needs: What problems do you care about solving? Where does demand exist? What causes matter to you?

What You Can Be Paid For: Which of your skills have market value? Where is compensation growing? What industries align with your other three circles?

Finding the Overlap

Your ikigai lives where all four circles overlap. It might not be a single job title — it could be a unique combination of roles, projects, and contributions.

Practical Exercise

Write 10 items in each circle. Look for themes that appear across multiple circles. These themes point toward your career sweet spot.